Falcon Flyer

OTMS Families,

I simply wanted to reach out to remind you that throughout the summer I will be emailing communications updating you with important information. Please make sure to read through the Flyer each week and should you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the school at 913-239-5400. Have a wonderful summer!

Dr. Stern, Proud Principal of OTMS

Have you checked out our school website lately? Same address, new look. Visit us at OTMS1.org

Middle school registration for the 2020-21 school year is open and online now. Registration is required annually and is the time to update your child’s information.

Important registration details

• NEW! Partial payment option is available this year to provide needed financial flexibility for families.

• Fee payment has been extended to July 30, 2020, to help families with changing financial situations.

• Families have access to pay all required and optional fees with the exception of the following fees. Stay tuned for information on these fees later this summer.

• Middle school activity programming fees

• Middle school course fees

• Student and/or family activity passes for 2020-21 school year

• Flexibility will be provided for families needing to upload updated immunization records and sports physicals as stay-at-home orders have impacted access to healthcare providers.

Completing registration now confirms that your child will attend school in August. Thank you for providing important information and parent permissions as part of the registration process. For more information about registration, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/registration

Or you may contact the OTMS registrar, Melanie Rockers, at marockers@bluevalleyk12.org.

What is Falcon Takeoff? This is a time for students and their families to stop by OTMS any time between 1-4 PM to

• Take school yearbook picture
• Pick up pre-ordered school supplies & gym clothes
• Try out new locker combinations and decorate the inside of lockers for the school year; feel free to leave supplies in your locker at this time
• Meet school administrators
• Purchase Kona Ice

If you cannot make this date, lockers will be given out the first day and yearbook pictures will be made up at a later date. Reminder: class schedules will not be handed out until the first day of school.

Please note: if your student is new to the Blue Valley School District, we will host a special presentation for new families beginning at 11:00 AM in the 6th grade pod. Immediately following, students will be able to access lockers, etc. as outlined above. This is only for families NEW to Blue Valley. During this time you will have the opportunity to connect with other families, meet school administration, counselors, and other support staff. After the presentation, students will be able to take pics, check out their lockers, etc. If you have questions, please call us at 913-239-5400.

Important dates (these are tentative and subject to change):

• 6th grade orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12th from 7:41-9:45 AM (buses will run on this day)
• First full day of school for all students is Thursday, August 13th from 7:41-2:50.
• Back to school night is also Thursday, August 13th from 6-8 PM

We still have a number of students who have not picked up their items from their lockers. Please call the school to schedule an appointment anytime Monday -Thursday from 8 am - 4 pm.

We are only taking appointments at this time and ask that you do not simply show up at the school. When you do arrive for your scheduled appointment, please pull up to the front of the school and we will deliver the items directly to your car. Thank you for your understanding.

School Supply Preordering Information

Would you like the convenience of purchasing your student's school supplies in advance and supporting PTO? This option is available to you through EPI, and supply kits will be available for pick up at Falcon Takeoff (tentatively August 6th, stay tuned for more information). Click here to order. Early deadline is June 14th to guarantee delivery by Falcon Takeoff. Deadline has been extended through July 7th to ensure delivery by start of school year. Please use school ID: OVE021

Note: we can not pre-order for elective classes (see separate list for details; we recommend waiting until August to purchase supplies for elective classes). Kits do NOT include a mouse for the Chromebook (optional) or headphones/earbuds (required).

PE (gym) Clothes and Spirit Wear Preordering Information

Students are required to wear approved shorts and t-shirts for PE at OTMS. These can be purchased through our PTO spirit store and will be available at Falcon Takeoff. Generic options are also available at select local grocery stores (more information will be sent out through the summer).

Please note: ALL students are required to take PE but may not have it until 2nd semester. It's ideal to order now but we will work with you throughout the year. Please visit the OTMS PTO Spirit Wear Store and scroll down for PE clothing options. OTMS PTO Spirit Store (PE Uniforms and more) closes at midnight on July 19th.

For more information about supply lists, please visit our school website. Please pay attention to ordering deadlines.

We recognize that student safety and well-being in the online world is a shared responsibility between our schools and families, and with Securly Home, taking an active role in your child’s online safety has never been easier. While school personnel may monitor online activity on district devices when students are connected to the BV Network/IP Address, it is the responsibility of our families to monitor online activity on district devices in the evenings, on weekends, over holidays and during school breaks, including summer break.

DOWNLOAD Securly Home Parent Portal app (on iTunes or Google Play)*: With the Securly Home Parent Portal app, families can monitor student technology use and customize filters on district devices. Custom filters/rules set through the Securly Home Parent Portal will only apply when a district device is NOT connected to the BV Network/IP Address. If you choose not to set custom rules, devices will continue to be filtered through the district’s default settings. This app is currently available to families with students who received a district Chromebook/MacBook as part of the 1:Learner initiative. Securly Home accounts are tied to the email address you have listed in ParentVUE. If you need assistance adding or updating your email in ParentVUE, call the front office of your school.

RECEIVE self-harm notifications: Families who download the Securly Home Parent Portal app will automatically be opted-in to receive mobile push notifications if their child searches content related to self-harm on a district-provided device. For resources to help talk to your child about their well-being, visit the district website.

PAUSE access to the internet: With Securly Home, families can temporarily disable/pause access to the internet on their child’s district device outside of the BV Network/IP Address.

REVIEW weekly online activity emails: Families will receive weekly email reports from Securly containing a sample of their child’s online activity on district-provided Chromebooks/MacBooks as part of the 1:Learner initiative. Those who do not want email updates can opt out by clicking Unsubscribe at the bottom of the Securly email.

Learn more at www.bluevalleyk12.org/securly, including answers to frequently asked questions. Need help? Email help@securly.com or visit https://support.securly.com.

KSHSAA and Blue Valley require a completed physical and athletic participation packet in order for students to participate in middle school athletics. The physical must be dated AFTER May 1st, 2020. Additional information can be found here.

If you will NOT be attending a Blue Valley School next year please email our registrar, Melanie Rockers at marockers@bluevalleyk12.org to let her know.

If you are moving and plan to leave prior to student checkout, we will need to collect your child's Chromebook and any other school property that has been checked out to him/her. Please include this information when contacting Mrs. Rockers.

Each year the state of Kansas requires 7th grade students to have certain immunizations completed. Due to this current pandemic, we recognize your ability to schedule these has been and possibly will be affected. However, at some point these will be required for the 2020-2021 school year so we wanted you to have this information. Please see the attached pdf.

If you have questions, please contact our nurse, Brittany Petrich, at brpetrich@bluevalleyk12.org

The school will be closed to walk-in visitors at least through the month of June. Please make an appointment by calling the main office number at 913-239-5400. Summer office hours are 7am-5pm Monday-Thursday beginning June 1st.

Are you wanting to be involved with middle school but don't know how? PTO has a number of volunteer positions available. If interested, please contact our PTO President, Shannon Mills at smills367@gmail.com. She'll help you to find your place in helping to support PTO and the OTMS community. Thank you in advance for your interest.

Blue Valley is offering Virtual Summer Learning for our middle school students. This experience is completely optional, as well as flexible, to meet the scheduling needs of your family. This learning experience is designed to provide your student with approximately 30 minutes of learning per day, Monday-Friday.

FAQs

Q: What is Virtual Summer Learning?

A: Virtual Summer learning is a chance for students and their families to participate in optional learning experiences in the areas of Math and Reading. The work is designed for students to complete with minimal support. Learning materials will be available on Monday, June 1st and activities are designed to begin on Monday, June 8th and conclude Friday, August 7th.

Q: Where does my student access the Virtual Summer Learning Materials?

A: CLICK HERE (students do not need to log on to Canvas to access the Virtual Summer Learning material. Just click on the link above). In addition, the Virtual Summer Learning link will be available on the district home page.

Q: How can I sign my child up for Virtual Summer Learning?

A: There is no sign up - simply access the materials through the website above!

Q: Is there a cost for Virtual Summer Learning?

A: Virtual Summer Learning is FREE!

Q: Is Virtual Summer Learning required for my student? Where do I turn in the completed work?

A: Virtual Summer Learning is an option for families who want to continue learning experiences for their children throughout the summer. Completed work will not be submitted.

We are providing students with the opportunity to have some extra math practice and enrichment over the summer. This is strictly optional and does not count toward any grade next year. Please click on the appropriate link.

Incoming 6th Graders

7th grade Integrated Math

7th grade Advanced Math

8th grade Integrated Math

8th grade Algebra 1

Sandy Bryant - After 26 years of service at OTM, our beloved Mrs. Bryant is retiring. We wish her a fabulous next chapter full of love, laughter and adventure and thank her for the impact she has made on countless lives. We will miss you!

Brooke Ash - Mrs. Ash will be taking on a new role as instructional design coach but will remain in Blue Valley as she serves Prairie Star and Leawood Middle. Good luck!

Mike Besler - After serving this past year as our instructional design coach, Mr. Besler is returning to Blue Valley west to teach and coach. We wish him well!

Lauren Betts - Ms. Betts is stepping away from education and will be busy planning her wedding. Congratulations!

Paul Giffin - Mr. Giffin is moving on to return to his love of school counseling. We wish him good luck.

Erica Hurlbut - Mrs. H is moving just down the road to Harmony Middle. Thank you, Mrs. Hurlbut for your service.

Liisa Kolquist - Mrs. Kolquist will be pursuing other opportunities in education. We wish her the best!

Zach McCloud - Having served for many years as a paraprofessional at OTMS, Mr. McCloud will be moving on to pursue his love of coaching and will become a college baseball coach. Way to go, Coach!

Kristin Emmitt - Kristin and her husband will be moving to Manhattan, KS to pursue new job opportunities. We wish them well and thank Kristin for her service.

Our sincere appreciation to all of these wonderful educators. You will be missed!

Patrons of Blue Valley Schools who have an interest in recreation and community service are invited to apply for Northeast and South commissioner positions on the Blue Valley Recreation Commission (BVRC). No previous recreation commission experience is required. The terms are four years, beginning Aug. 1, 2020, through July 31, 2024. The deadline for applications is June 17, 2020.

The school district’s involvement with the commission is limited by statute, holding it responsible for the BVRC by appointing its commissioners, approving the budget and authorizing lease agreements.

Any resident interested in a position on the commission is invited to send a completed application, letter of interest and résumé, no later than June 17, 2020, to Sarah Vaughn, Board Clerk, Blue Valley Schools, 15020 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66283. More information is available online at www.bluevalleyk12.org/BVRC.

Join BVN Coach Bryan Turner for a Youth Soccer Camp in July on the BVN east turn field. Boys and girls, grades 1st - 8th grade are welcome to participate. ffFor more information and to sign-up, click HERE to go to the BVN Soccer website. Please go to the bottom of the website and the form is below "Important Dates."